(RILEY COUNTY, KS – January 26, 2022) Two additional Riley County residents have died after testing positive for COVID-19. A 75 year-old male, fully vaccinated and boosted, tested positive January 14 and passed away at Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Manhattan on January 24. A 70 year-old male, unvaccinated, tested positive January 2 and died at the hospital on January 25.
Ascension Via Christi is currently caring for 11 COVID-19 positive patients. Four patients are in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and one is on a ventilator. The vaccination status of the hospitalized patients was not available at the time of this release.
Riley County has identified 898 new COVID cases and 973 additional recoveries since the last report on January 19. There are currently 979 active cases in Riley County, which represents a decrease of 77 active cases since last week. The two-week rolling percent positivity rate climbed to 24.06% from 22.52% for the current period.
“New variants are on the horizon and the virus will likely be part of our lives for a long time to come,” said Local Health Officer Julie Gibbs. “The best advice I can give is to get vaccinated, follow your doctor’s recommendations, and take good care of your health. Do not put off medical care and treatment you would normally seek. Get plenty of sleep, exercise, eat well, and take the steps medical providers recommend so you can keep your body healthy.”
The Riley County Health Department (RCHD) will continue to provide COVID and flu vaccines by appointment. Please call (785) 565-6560 to schedule a vaccine.
Health department nurses are also available to offer COVID and flu vaccine clinics on-site in collaboration with businesses, organization managers, or owners. Last week, RCHD hosted a vaccine clinic at Manhattan Town Center, providing 60 individuals with first, second, or booster doses. This week, staff are visiting the Ogden Community Center, Manhattan High School, and Riley County Offices to host vaccine clinics. A total of 30 vaccines were provided at the Ogden Community Center on Monday. To schedule a clinic, please contact Sheyenne at (785) 776-4779 ext. 7691.
The KDHE testing site at Manhattan Town Center was closed January 25 because of the extreme cold, but is open today. RCHD is working in partnership with KDHE to secure an indoor space that can be used on a regular basis when winter weather prevents outdoor testing.
“Testing has been in high demand, as you’re all aware, and home tests are becoming a more popular alternative to waiting for results,” said Gibbs. “We have been working with KDHE to develop a survey that allows people to report the results of their at-home tests. It’s a way to help our medical community get a better picture of the situation in Riley County. Reporting at-home test results is entirely voluntary and we ask that people report both positive and negative results using our secure online form.”
Report at-home COVID test results online at www.rileycountyks.gov/ReportResults. Contact tracing will not be conducted on any of the test results reported. Information submitted by residents will be stored on a secured database that is HIPAA protected. Statistics for at-home test results will not be added to the weekly report at this time.
As a reminder, every home in the US can request a maximum of four at-home tests. Orders are expected to ship within 7-12 days. Order tests online at www.covidtests.gov or by calling 1-800-232-0233.
Riley County COVID-19 Statistics for January 26, 2022
Percent Positive
Two-Week Average: 24.06%
Tested Positive: 1,873
Tested Negative: 5,912
Total Tested: 7,785
Week 2 (January 9 - 15) 25.76%
Total Positives: 1,191
Total Tested: 4,623
Week 3 (January 16 - 22) 21.57%
Total Positives: 682
Total Tested: 3,162
Contact Riley County Health Department
The next written update will be published Wednesday, February 2, 2022.
Find statistics for Riley County and learn more about the local COVID-19 response at www.rileycountyks.gov/covid
